Going Overboard

Leave it to someone to take things just a little bit too far. From the Weekly Standard:

MUSLIMS IN BRITAIN were reportedly incensed over the release of a computer game called “Muslim Massacre,” advertised by its creators as a “game of modern religious genocide.” The game, available by free download on the Internet, urges players to “wipe out the Muslim race with an arsenal of the world’s most destructive weapons,” according to the UK-based ash-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper.

Okay, first and foremost…this is beyond stupid. Why would anyone create a game like this? Pulling stunts like this has generally earned people a fatwa. It’s openly, blatantly disrespectful. And, as luck would have it, the central character is an American. Go figure.

Now, the Standard article goes on to point out the hyprocrisy of the Muslims who condemn this game, but not other games/TV shows that preach killing, especially that of Israelis.

Where was the widespread condemnation of the Hamas terrorist organization’s video game entitled “Taht al-Hisaar” (Under Occupation)? Young children–the software provider claims it is suitable for children 13 and up–assume the role of Palestinian gunmen who fire automatic weapons upon Israelis. There can be no doubt that this game was designed to incite children to hate.

Similarly, there was a dearth of condemnations after the release of Hezbollah’s video game “Special Forces 2,” which glorifies the 2006 war between the Lebanese terrorist group and Israel. Players assume the role of Hezbollah fighters, and earn points by capturing or killing Israeli soldiers and firing rockets into Israel. According to one Hezbollah mouthpiece, “Through this game the child can build an idea that this enemy can be defeated.” This game was a sequel to the first “Special Forces,” a wildly popular game that glorified the killing of Israelis, first produced by Hezbollah in 2002.

Extremism-in any form, and from any side-is bad. And, if you’re going to address and protest it on one front, then you should really go after it on all fronts. There’s something in the Bible about turning a blind eye to your faults while jumping up and down on everyone else’s.

There’s some elements of Islam that teach that the killing of “nonbelievers” is perfectly acceptable. That was a historical tenet-now done away with-of Catholicism as well (remember the Inqusition from history class?).

Making video games that are basically calls for genocide-of anyone, for any reason-is just not an exercise in good judgement.